Bird-proof exhaust vent cover appartus and methods

ABSTRACT

Provided, herein is a bird proof exhaust vent apparatus, the apparatus comprising a top portion, the top portion comprising a vent inlet opening disposed for connection to an exhaust vent of a building structure, the exhaust vent apparatus further comprising a sidewall portion in connection with the top portion, the sidewall portion comprising an vertically oriented elongate sidewall portion forming a conduit and terminating in an outlet opening, wherein the conduit has a cross-sectional, dimension that is less than the wingspan of a target bird.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to exhaust vents, air inlets and outlets.In particular, the present disclosure relates to bird-proof exhaust ventcovers.

BACKGROUND

Exhaust vents, such as exhaust vents for clothes dryers and bathroomexhaust fans, allow birds to get into the exhaust duct and build nests.The resulting obstruction causes air flow issues, as well as safetyissues, and results in increased operational and repair expenses, aswell as increased utility bills. Known exhaust vents sometimes include amesh screen to keep birds out, but the screen catches lint, dust,causing the screen itself to become an undesirable obstacle to air flow.For example, for clothes dryer vents having a screen, within a few weeksto months the screen becomes blocked by lint, causing the dry time to beextended (if the clothes dry at all). The dryer can overheat, againincreasing operational costs, repairs and high utility bills.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary bird-proof vent coverapparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary bird-proof ventcover apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of an exemplary bird-proof vent coverapparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear perspective view of an exemplary bird-proofvent cover apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary bird-proof vent cover apparatus mountedon a vertical surface in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Provided herein is a bird proof exhaust vent apparatus. The apparatusincludes features to make it difficult, if not impossible, for birds toenter the vent or build nests in the vent or vent cover. The apparatus,in come embodiments, offers the further advantage of being lowmaintenance, requiring little to none in terms of cleaning andmaintenance during its useful life (decades).

In an example shown in FIGS. 1-5, an exemplary bird-proof,maintenance-free cover is shown. In this example, the cover 10 isdesigned to install easily over any existing residential exhaust ventthat is mounted on a vertical surface. For example, FIG. 5 shows thecover 10 mounted over an existing clothes dryer vent on the verticalexterior surface of a residential home having vinyl siding thereon.However, in another embodiment, the cover 10 can be a complete ventsolution, including a cover 10 having an integral vent. In a preferredembodiment, the vent 100 includes a closeable vent louver 110. In themost preferred embodiment, the vent 100 includes a hinged louver 110 foropening and closing the vent opening, such as by positive air pressurecreated by an attached appliance, such as a clothes dryer, exhaust fan,furnace, water heater, oven, or fireplace, for example.

The cover 10 includes several key features that prevent birds frombuilding nests, obstructing, entering, or otherwise interfering with thevent 100 and vent louver 110, as well as the vent opening (notillustrated). In the example of FIGS. 1-5, the cover 10 includes a topportion 20 that is shaped and otherwise configured so as to preventbirds from sitting on the top portion 20, and also to prevent theconstruction of nests on the top portion 20 of the cover 10. In theexample of FIGS. 1-5, the top portion 20 specifically comprises a slopedportion, as illustrated. In any case, when installed, the top portion 20lacks any appreciable surface portion that would be orientedhorizontally upon installation of the cover 10. Preferably, the topportion 20 includes a surface or coating that provides low-friction. Forexample, the top portion 20 can include an outer surface portion that iscoated with smooth, hard coating such as, but not limited to, paint,metal, PTFE (such as TEFLON brand PTFE by DuPont), and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1-5, the cover 10 also preferably includes an elongatesidewall portion 40. The sidewall portion 40 extends vertically downwardfrom the top portion 20, and forms and connects a vent opening 70 of thevent cover 10 to an end opening 50 of the cover 10. In other words, thesidewalk portion 40 forms an elongate vertically-orientated conduit fromoutlet opening 50 to rear opening 70, allowing air from the vent 100 toescape through the cover 10, with most of the air preferably exitingoutlet opening 50. The sidewall portion 40 is illustrated assubstantially rectangular, however, it may be made into any elongateshape and cross section. The critical feature of sidewall portion 40 isthat it extends vertically downward from vent 100 and top portion 20 farenough to prevent birds from passing through outlet opening 50 andreaching the vent 100 or louver 110. The inventive concept incorporatedin this feature is that birds cannot fly vertically upward in confinedvertical spaces. Therefore, the cross-sectional dimension of elongateportion of sidewall 40 should be less than a target bird's wing span.For example, for sparrows, the maximum inner diameter of sidewallportion 40 should be less than about 7 inches. However, even if agreater inner diameter is provided, the vertical length of sidewallportion is designed and sized, and optionally shaped (such as in aconverging portion of a sidewall portion 40) to prevent vertical flying,such as to prevent a bird from entering opening 50 by reaching rearopening 70. Preferably, the vertical length of sidewall portion spans atleast 8 inches from the bottom of opening 70 to the end of sidewallportion 40 at outlet opening 50. More preferably, that length is morethan 10 inches. More preferably, that length is more than 12 inches.

Optionally, the sidewall portion 40 of cover 10 further includes apermeable sidewall portion 30 that is permeable to air flow. Thepermeable sidewall portion 30 in the illustrated examples is a screen,such as a metal wire mesh screen having square openings of about 0.5 to1.0 inch. However, the permeable sidewall portion 30 can be of anymaterial, such as metal, plastic, or other screen material compatiblewith exposure to the exhaust air and with environmental elements such assun, rain, snow, wind, for example. Optionally, in the preferredembodiments, the permeable sidewall portion 30

includes a screen of significant opening sizes as to allow for readyexhaust air flow, while also permitting visual monitoring of the vent100 and vent louver 110 function by a user from the ground under cover10.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the square wire mesh ofpermeable portion 30, and the elongate vertical sidewall portion 40together function to keep birds out, since birds can not fly verticalwith their wings closed. The open bottom design of outlet opening 50further allows for any lint to drop out so the vent 100 and louver 110will not clog. The top portion 20 of the vent cover is angled so birdscan not build nests on top of it. A further advantage is that theexemplary cover 10 illustrated will not collect lint, but also will notprevent a vent 100 from catching lint if the vent 100 design is made tocatch lint.

Lastly, the cover 10 is adaptable to installation over existing,previously installed vents 100. As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the cover 10includes one or more mounting portions 60 that can be attached to abuilding 200 by any known fastener system.

While the inventive concepts herein are illustrated in one embodiment,other embodiments are conceived and adequately described and enabledherein so as to entitle the inventor to a claim scope broader than theembodiment illustrated. Nothing herein is intended to narrow that scope.

We claim:
 1. A bird proof exhaust vent apparatus, the apparatus comprising a top portion, the top portion comprising a vent inlet opening disposed for connection to an exhaust vest of a building structure, the exhaust vent apparatus further comprising a sidewall portion in connection with the top portion, the side wall portion comprising an vertically oriented elongate sidewall portion forming a conduit and terminating in an outlet opening, wherein the conduit has a cross-sectional dimension that is less than the wingspan of a target bird.
 2. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional dimension of the vertically elongate side wail portion is a cross-sectional width of less than 7 inches.
 3. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 2, wherein the vertically elongate sidewall portion is at least 8 inches long.
 4. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 3, wherein the vertically elongate sidewall portion includes a permeable portion.
 5. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 4, wherein the vertically elongate sidewall portion includes a permeable portion that comprises a screen material.
 6. The bird proof-exhaust vent apparatus of claim 5, wherein the screen material comprises. a square mesh material.
 7. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mounting portion configured for attachment to the building-structure.
 8. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 7, wherein the mounting portion comprises a back portion attached to the sidewall portion, the back portion comprising mounting means for attachment to the building structure.
 9. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top portion further comprises louvers for opening and closing of the inlet vent opening.
 10. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 9, wherein the cross-sectional dimension of the vertically elongate sidewall portion is a cross-sectional width of less than 7 inches.
 11. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 10, wherein the vertically elongate sidewall portion is at least 8 inches long.
 12. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 11, wherein the vertically elongate sidewall portion includes a permeable portion.
 13. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 12, wherein the vertically elongate sidewall portion includes a permeable portion that comprises a screen material.
 14. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 13, wherein the screen material comprises a square mesh material.
 15. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a mounting portion configured for attachment to the building structure.
 16. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 15, wherein the mounting portion comprises a back portion attached to the sidewall portion, the back portion comprising mounting means for attachment to the building structure. 